Today I am writing a very highly requested blog – how, when, and why I became a vegetarian.

For as long as I can remember, I have always had farm animals as PETS (chickens, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, horses, even rats), growing my natural love for animals. It wasn’t until I was about 11 years old that my eyes were opened to the cruel world of the meat industry (factory farms primarily) when I did my first walk for The Farm Sanctuary. I was incredibly affected by documentaries such as Earthlings, Food Inc, Farm To Fridge, Cowspiracy, and the list goes on. As for taking meat out of my diet, I simply ate less and less as time went on. Even a simple ‘meatless Monday’ makes a huge difference! It’s hard to imagine how something that easy is not possible for everybody to do. I think it was only about a month after that I was able to effortlessly cut all meat from my diet. I felt so refreshed, healthier, and best of all my conscience was cleared for sure! I literally don’t remember the last time I was sick. It did help that my family has never been big meat eaters (mammals in particular are never consumed in our home), but since meat is such a convenience food in our culture it’s not hard to gravitate towards it without a mindset against it. Also, my parents wanted me to make this sort of decision for myself. Officially and finally giving meat up on my own has always felt undeniably right within me.

Many people don’t realize how many ‘meatless meat products’ there are available at most every grocery store. There are vegan/vegetarian bacon, burgers, chicken nuggets, steak, ribs, you name it! To me, they actually taste better than real meat (and not to mention healthier). This said, nothing beats food with one ingredient (in other words, not processed) so it’s best to keep those foods as the bulk of your meals and snacks.

18% of global greenhouse gas emissions are caused by livestock factory farming, compared to 13% caused by ALL global transport (cars, trucks, trains, airplanes, jets, boats,…combined!), but we rarely hear about this in mainstream news.

So, here is a list of the 4 important steps I took towards becoming a vegetarian:

21 Comments on How I became a vegetarian

Amalie

Mili

Katy Culpepper

April 28, 2016 at 6:26 pm (1 year ago)

I became vegetarian about a month and a half ago because I was so inspired by you guys, and I’ve always thought if I love animals so much why eat them..¿ I grew up with about every animal my whole life like you & so it was just time to give up meat because I love them to much.❤️

Paula

April 28, 2016 at 4:38 pm (1 year ago)

Everything you wrote there is so true, especially about the ‘vegan/vegetarian meat products’. I am vegetarian too for like 5 years and this ist the best decision ever! 👌🏼👌🏼 I love love more blog posts about your favorite recipes🍓🍉
(sorry for my bad English, I’m German)

Paula

April 28, 2016 at 4:40 pm (1 year ago)

Everything you wrote there is so true, especially about the ‘vegan/vegetarian meat products’. I am vegetarian too for like 5 years and this ist the best decision ever! 👌🏼👌🏼 I would love more blog posts about your favorite recipes🍓🍉
(sorry for my bad English, I’m German)

Amy

April 28, 2016 at 6:31 pm (1 year ago)

I was vegetarian for a year I actually just quit it. I wanted to try something new (I did have reasons) I found that I was getting to sick without it. I didn’t fuel my body with enough substitutes. make sure you do that if you’re planning on doing it!!

Kailey

Avery

April 28, 2016 at 7:48 pm (1 year ago)

Hey Reagan (and Madi)! I was just wondering why you guys chose to go from vegan to vegetarian. Also it seems that you’re bunching being vegan and vegetarian as the same thing. Anyway you can make a post why you chose to eat dairy and eggs again? Not trying to force you guys to do anything(not that I could make you) or judge you in anyway, I’m just completely curious You guys were one of the first people who I saw that were vegan so just recently I’ve done the same. I’ve been vegan for almost 3 months now and I’m feeling amazing. I really hope you take the time to respond. Thank you! -Avery A

Rachel

April 28, 2016 at 9:04 pm (1 year ago)

AWWWW I LUV THIS. I am not a vegetarian. But i live on a farm where we sell cows and stuff. We usually keep a steer to butcher, but it goes to our local “slaughter house,” They are not mean to the aniamls there. They get a big pen to stay in and when the time comes when they have to go. They leave painlessly. I am trying though, to ease my way into becoming a vegetarian.
Rachel (pony.prinsass)

Haley Schonekas

April 29, 2016 at 2:51 am (1 year ago)

Idea- maybe do the same blog, but Madi answers the questions?? Just a thought that popped in my head since I like both of y’all’s opinions I’m a pescatarian, and have been for a year, but I’m slowly trying to wean myself off seafood… But that’s a little hard considering I live in Southern Louisiana, where we’re known for our seafood :/ I love your blogs and am so happy that you made one!!

Meredith

April 29, 2016 at 4:26 am (1 year ago)

I become a vegetarian a little over a year ago! Both u guys inspired me and I have watch so many documentaries and YouTube videos on the horrible ways animals are treated in factories! so glad I made the descion of becoming a vegetation! 💘💘

Hey, I was previously a vegetarian for 3 months but in Sydney, Australia isn’t many vegetarian or vegan products that are healthy, but whatever chance I have I don’t eat meat but it’s pretty hard because my family is such big meat eaters and I’m just having the tiniest bit of meat as I can but most nights I don’t eat any meat but it does make you feel different in a good way and makes yourself feel not guilty knowing that you’re doing a lot to help save and bring down the meat industry.

Justine Smulders

April 29, 2016 at 5:26 pm (1 year ago)

Your vegetarianism inspired me to do more research on the meat industry, and about a few months ago, I watched Cowspiracy. Oh. My. Word. It is mind blowing! Ever since I’ve been trying to cut out meat/dairy as much as possible, and last week I finally became fully vegan! It’s amazing, my skin has completely cleared up and I feel healthier than ever. I absolutely love your vegan recipes, so if you could post more of those, that would be amazing! Thanks for inspiring me, you and Madi have been a big part of my decision❤️

Orla Cannon

April 30, 2016 at 11:08 pm (1 year ago)

I’ve considered going vegetarian for a while now. I’ve always loved animals and I’ve never felt right knowing an animal had to die for
Me to eat what I was eating. Reading this really inspired me to become vegetarian! You guys are a big inspiration to me, I am an equestrian as well and I love your Instagram pages!

Jessica

Carolina

May 2, 2016 at 5:54 pm (1 year ago)

I love this!! ❤️ I would also love if you would post some recipes that are easy (and cheap 😅) to cook because i really really want to eat less meat! I hope it will be possible for me to become a vegetarian once, i just need some helpful tips or “advice” ❤️

Hi everyone,
I just wanted to say that I was a vegan for lent (I’m not religious but I just tried it for that period of time) and I felt so much more, alive! I was so healthy and happy about life! I’m now a vegetarian because in Ireland they don’t have that big of a selection (especially where I live) but I haven’t gotten sick since!❤️ But you’re the one that really inspired me to lead this incredible lifestyle. I’m now educated more and I’m so happy about everything!

Katy Culpepper

May 7, 2016 at 4:45 pm (1 year ago)

I became vegetarian about a month and a half ago because I was so inspired by you guys, and I’ve always thought if I love animals so much why eat them..¿ I grew up with about every animal my whole life like you & so it was just time to give up meat because I love them to much.❤️